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STAND-TO! Edition: Thursday, May 31 2012

Today's Focus:

Rebalancing the Army in Europe

Senior Leaders are Saying

Company grade leadership is about leading our nation's sons and daughters at the tip of the tactical spear, and as company grade [leaders] you have the most impact on our young Soldier ... We need leaders like you to be at the forefront, guiding our transition to a leaner more agile force that remains adaptive, innovative, versatile and ready as part of the Joint Force 2020. You are the future of our Army (and) the future of our nation.

- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, at the 2011 General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award ceremony May 24, 2012, at the Pentagon Auditorium in Arlington, Va.

What They're Saying

Although we all wear uniforms and think we can leap tall buildings in a single bound, there's still a human being inside there. We have to take care of that human being and while heroic things are done by those in uniform, we also know it takes a toll, because they see what the rest of the world does not.

- Bob Delaney, a former undercover police officer and a recipient of the 'Outstanding Civilian Service Award' for helping Soldiers cope with post-traumatic stress.

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

Today's Focus

Rebalancing the Army in Europe

What is it?

In February, the Department of Defense announced that while Europe is our principal
partner in seeking global and economic security, the U.S. will adjust the posture of land forces in Europe. As part of this plan, the 170th Infantry Brigade will inactivate in October 2012, and the 172nd Heavy Brigade (both with 3800 Soldiers) will inactivate in October 2013.

V Corps headquarters (approximately 750 Soldiers) is deploying to Afghanistan now and, though assigned personnel will redeploy to Germany and be reassigned in accordance with normal personnel procedures, the flag will not return to Germany. In addition, the Army will reduce some 2500 Soldiers in enabling units in U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) over the next few years. Overall, these changes will reduce the current USAREUR strength from 40,000 Soldiers to about 30,000 by the year 2015.

What has the Army done?

Since 1989, the Army has reduced its presence in Europe from approximately 213,000 Soldiers on 858 sites forward postured to defend Europe to the current projected level of approximately 30,000 Soldiers in five remaining Army communities forward postured to prevent conflicts and to shape the international environment. In the fall of 2011, the Secretary of the Army also directed USAREUR to reduce its civilian staff by over 1,000 personnel.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

To sustain and improve interoperability within NATO, the U.S. will allocate a U.S.-based heavy Brigade Combat Team to reinvigorate our commitment to the NATO Response Force. As part of this commitment, the Army in Europe will also seek ways to enhance multinational training at the world-class Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Germany, in a post-International Security Assistance Force environment. As part of this commitment, the Army will regularly rotate a battalion-sized task force to Grafenwoehr, Germany, to conduct multinational training and exercises.

Why is this important to the Army?

USAREUR remains America's strategic forward enabler in defense of the homeland and America's primary means for building partnerships and interoperability, preparing U.S., allied and partner nation forces for operations and future contingencies. The U.S. Army footprint in Europe provides Department of Defense, a critical staging area for multi-national training as well as logistics, intelligence, communications, and medical support improving our access and operability throughout the world. Maintaining presence within current resource constraints proves the Army's ability to adapt and embrace change while remaining focused on our nation's strategic and operational goals.

SPORTS

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